Une nouvelle structure à tunnels: KxVxMo1−xO3 (x = 0.13)

The crystal structure of the hexagonal phase K_xV_xMo_1?xO₃ (x = 0.13) has been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The space group is P6₃. The parameters are a = 10.481 Å and c = 3.701 Å. The structure is formed by triple chains of octahedra sharing corners and parallel to the Oz axis. Each triple chain shares edges with three other chains.Potassium is inserted in the large tunnels. The reliability factor is R = 0.045 on the base of 158 observed reflexions. The Rb_xV_xMo_1?xO₃ and Cs_xV_xMo_1?xO₃ phases (0.12 ? x ? 0.14) are isostructural with K_xV_xMo_1?xO₃.     

Influence of Oxygen Nonstoichiometry on the Spectral Properties of Solid Solutions LaNb2−2xTa2xVO9−δ (x=0-0.4) and LaTa2−2xNb2xVO9−δ (x=0-0.1)

Phase equilibria in the LaVO₄-Nb₂O₅-Ta₂O₅ system were analyzed. New solid solutions LaTa_2−2xNb_2xVO_9−δ (x=0-0.1) and LaNb_2−2xTa_2xVO_9−δ (x=0-0.4) were detected in this system. The structures of the vanadate-niobate LaNb₂VO₉ and vanadate-tantalate LaTa₂VO₉ are not known. The structures of the vanadate-tantalate LaTa₂VO₉ and LaTa₂VO₉-based solid solutions are similar to the structure of LaTa₇O₁₉, which refers to the hexagonal crystal system. The influence of the oxygen nonstoichiometry δ(x) on crystallochemical characteristics and spectral properties of these solid solutions were examined by the X-ray phase analysis, IR and radio spectroscopic methods. A correlation between the nonstoichiometry δ(x) and the volume of a unit cell V(x) of solid solutions LaTa_2−2xNb_2xVO_9−δ was found. The IR spectrum of LaTa₂VO_9−δ transformed in going from δ=0 to δ≠0. Two types of VO₄ tetrahedra were formed in solid solutions LaNb_2−2xTa_2xVO_9−δ depending on δ(x).     

O-H and O-D stretching vibrations in isotopically dilute HDO molecules in some solid hydrates

Vibrational frequencies v_OH and v_OD have been measured for isotopically-dilute HDO molecules in eleven solid hydrates at 90 K. The results have been used to prepare a plot of the ratio v_OH/v_OD versus v_OH. The ratios fall on a smooth curve and decrease with decreasing frequencies v_OH. The anharmonicity constants ω_ex_e have been estimated. They were found to increase with decreasing v_OH.     

Etude structurale des composés MxTiSe2 (M = Fe,Co, Ni)

New compounds M_xTiSe₂ have been prepared with M = Fe (x ? 0.66), M = Co or Ni (x ? 0.50). The metal M is located in vacant octahedral sites of the TiSe₂ host lattice (hexagonal unit cell a′, c′). An ordering of vacancies occurs if x ? 0.20. With M = Co or Ni (x = 0.50) and with M = Fe (0.25 ? x ? 0.66) isotypic compounds of Ti₃Se₄ can be obtained (M₃ □ X₄ type; monoclinic unit cell a ≈ a′ √3, b ≈ a′, c ≈ 2c′). The compounds Fe_0.38TiSe₂ and Co_0.38TiSe₂ (hexagonal unit cell a ≈ a′ √3, c ≈ 2c′) are of the M₂ □ X₃ type, variety 2c′. The Fe_0.25TiSe₂ and Co_0.25TiSe₂ monoclinic unit cells (a ≈ 2a′ √3, b ≈ 2a′, c ≈ 2c′) allow us to assume, for these two compounds, a structure of the M₅ □ ₃X₈ type, variety 2c′, identical to the Ti₅Se₈ one. The compound Ni_0.25TiSe₂ has an hexagonal unit cell (a ≈ 2a′, c ≈ 3c′); it belongs to a so-called 3c′ variety of the M₅ □ ₃X₈ type.     

Magnetic properties of UFe12−xSix

The homogeneity range of the system UFe_12−xSi_x with tetragonal ThMn₁₂ structure was determined to extend from x = 1 to x = 3. The Curie temperature and magnetic moment depend on the silicon content with maximum values T_c = 653 K and μ_m = 17.5 μ_B per formula unit reached at x = 2.0. The thermal expansion of UFe₁₀Si₂ was investigated by X-ray diffractometry. A volume magnetostriction of ω_s = 1% at T = 5 K was found. The hysteresis properties of powdered, sintered and melt-spun samples of UFe₁₀Si₂ were studied.     

Crystal structure of the new borate Li3Gd(BO3)2. Comparison with the homologous Na3Ln(BO3)2 (Ln: La,Nd) compounds

The structure of Li₃Gd(BO₃)₂ has been solved by X-ray diffraction study on single crystal. This novel borate crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the P2₁/c space group (Z=4). The cell parameters are respectively equal to a=8.724(2), b=6.425(2), c=10.095(2) Å and β=116.85(2)°. Refinements of 110 parameters using 2924 independent reflections having I>2σ(I) converged to R₁=0.028 (wR₂=0.058). The structure of Li₃Gd(BO₃)₂ is made up of double layers of eightfold coordinated Gd atoms parallel to the (bc) plane. They are linked by respectively three- and four-coordinated boron and lithium atoms. The structure is compared to that of the homologous sodium compounds, Na₃Ln(BO₃)₂ (Ln: La, Nd), in which LnO₈ polyhedra also form a bi-dimensional array.     

Synthesis, Structures, and Thermal Expansion of the La2W2−xMoxO9 Series

The La₂W_2−xMo_xO₉ series has been synthesized by the ceramic method. An alternative synthesis using microwave radiation is also reported. La₂W₂O₉ has two polymorphs and the low-temperature phase (α) transforms to the high-temperature form (β) at 1077°C. The influence of the W/Mo substitution in this phase transition has been investigated by DTA. The β structure for x≥0.7 compositions can be prepared as single phase at any cooling rate. The β phase for 0.3≤x≤0.7 compounds can be prepared as single phase by quenching, whereas a mixture of α and β phases is obtained by slow cooling. The W/Mo ratio in both coexisting phases is different with the β-phase having a higher Mo content. The x=0.1 and 0.2 compounds have been prepared as mixtures of phases. The room temperature structure of β-La₂W_1.7Mo_0.3O₉ has been analyzed by the Rietveld method in P2₁3 space group. The final R-factors were R_WP=9.0% and R_F=5.6% with a structure similar to that of β-La₂Mo₂O₉. Finally, the thermal expansion of both types of structures has been determined from a thermodiffractometric study. The thermal expansion coefficients were 2.9×10⁻⁶ and 9.7×10⁻⁶°C⁻¹ for α-La₂W₂O₉ and β-La₂W_1.2Mo_0.8O₉, respectively.     

Solid solutions of Pb8M2(XO4)6 lead alkali apatites

The Pb₈Na_2?xK_x(PO₄)₆, Pb₈Na_2?xK_x(AsO₄)₆, Pb₈Na_2?xRb_x(PO₄)₆, and Pb₈K_2?xRb_x(PO₄)₆ systems were studied. The compounds crystallize at all compositions in the P6₃m hexagonal apatite structure and form true solid solutions. The change of the lattice parameters of the composition and of the c/a values and their relation to the ionic radii of the alkali ions are discussed.     

The electronic absorption spectra of the alkyl-substituted derivatives of bis(benzene)chromium(0) in the vapour phase

The UV and visible absorption spectra of (arene)₂chromium(0) (arene = benzene (I), toluene (II), ethylbenzene (III), cumene (IV), tert-butylbenzene (V), mesitylene (VI) in the vapour phase have been investigated. Four band systems A,B,C and D are revealed in the spectra. The bands of the system with the shortest wavelengths, D, represent the Rydberg series. The first ionisation potentials IP_a1g, 5.18 and 5.01 eV respectively. The Rydberg bands correspond to the allowed electrodipole transitions from the highest occupied molecular orbital (MO) a_1g to the vacant MO of either the a_2u or e_1u type.System C corresponds to the intense band of the solution spectra. The electronic transition e_2g → e_2g obviously makes a great contribution to this system. System B is assigned to the transition from a_1g to vacant a_2u or e_1u MO, which can be Rydberg orbitals. System A can be assigned to the a_1g → e_2u transition or to the Rydberg transition, which is forbidden in the D_6h point group but becomes allowed upon reduction of symmetry.     

Subsolidus phase relations and crystal structures of R-Ca-Cu-O (R=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tm) systems

The subsolidus phase relations of R₂O₃-CaO-CuO ternary systems (R=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tm) have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction. All samples were synthesized at about 950° in air. There exists a ternary compound Ca_14−xR_xCu₂₄O₄₁ (x = 4 for R=Nd, Gd and x = 5 for R = Sm) and a ternary solid solution Ca_2+xR_2−xCu₅O₁₀ (R=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tm) with a wide composition range Δx of about 0.6. The compound Ca_14−xR_xCu₂₄O₄₁ possesses a layered orthorhombic structure and is isostructural to Sr_14−xCa_xCu₂₄O₄₁. The lattice parameters a and c of the compound are basically independent of the ionic radius of R, while the lattice parameter b and unit-cell volume V decrease substantially with the decrease of the ionic radii of R. The Ca_2+xR_2−xCu₅O₁₀ solid solution is isostructural to Ca_2+xY_2−xCu₅O₁₀, the structure of which is based on an orthorhombic “NaCuO₂-type” subcell containing infinite one-dimensional chains of edge-shared square planar cuprate groups crosslinked by the layered cations Ca and R that locate in the inter-chain tunnels.     

A single crystal X-ray and HRTEM study of new series of compounds DyCux (x=4.5, 4 and 3.5)

A series of monoclinic compounds DyCu_x (x=4.5,4 and 3.5) is described. It is constructed from structural blocks AB₅ (cubic AuBe₅ structure type) and AB₂ (cubic MgCu₂ structure type) by stacking nAB₅+AB₂ and giving the compositions A₂B₇,AB₄,A₄B₁₇,A₅B₂₂,A₆B₂₇,…,AB₅. The resulting monoclinic superstructures can be derived from the cubic AuBe₅ type by introducing planar defects parallel to {hhh} that lead to a nearly orthogonal ≈(n+2)×(n+2)×(n+2−0.5) supercells. The present series is analogous to the monoclinic-hexagonal-trigonal-orthorhombic series A_n+1B_5n+2 obtained by the stacking (n-1)AB₅+A₂B₇ where AB₅ is of the hexagonal CaCu₅ structure type and A₂B₇ is of the monoclinic Zr₂Ni₇ structure type.     

On the equilibrium structure of MgC2 and AlC2

In order to find such unknown molecules as MgC₂ and AlC₂ in interstellar space, accurate calculations to determine the equilibrium structures of these molecules were carried out. The ab initio MCSCF and MRSDCI methods were employed in the calculations. MgNC whose rotational constant has been observed was used to check the reliability of the computational scheme. The predicted geometrical structures of MgC₂ and AlC₂ were equilateral triangles and their rotational constants were A_e = 51.55, B_e = 11.52 and C_e = 9.413 GHz for MgC₂ and A_e = 50.76, B_e = 12.00 and C_e = 9.705 GHz for AlC₂.     

Phase formation features in the systems M2MoO4-Fe2(MoO4)3 (M=Rb, Cs) and crystal structures of new double polymolybdates M3FeMo4O15

The systems M₂MoO₄-Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Rb, Cs) were shown to be non-quasibinary joins of the systems M₂O-Fe₂O₃-MoO₃. New compounds M₃FeMo₄O₁₅ were revealed along with the known MFe(MoO₄)₂ and M₅Fe(MoO₄)₄. The unit cell parameters of the new compounds are a=11.6192(2), b=13.6801(3), c=9.7773(2) Å, β=92.964(1)°, space group P2₁/c, Z=4 (M=Rb) and a=11.5500(9), b=9.9929(7), c=14.513(1) Å, β=90.676(2)°, space group P2₁/n, Z=4 (M=Cs). In the structures of M₃FeMo₄O₁₅ (M=Rb, Cs), a half of the FeO₆ octahedra share two opposite edges with two MoO₆ octahedra linked to other FeO₆ octahedra through the bridged MoO₄ tetrahedra by means of the common oxygen vertices to form the chains along the a axis. The difference between the structures is caused by diverse mutual arrangements of the adjacent polyhedral chains.     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and chemical stability of Nd2−xSrxNiO4+δ

Nonstoichiometric variation of oxygen content in Nd_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4) and decomposition P(O₂) were determined by means of high temperature gravimetry and coulometric titration. The measurements were carried out in the temperature range from 873 to 1173 K and the P(O₂) range from 10⁻²⁰ to 1 bar. Nd_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ shows the oxygen excess and the oxygen deficient composition depending on P(O₂), temperature, and the Sr content. To evaluate the characteristics of oxygen nonstoichiometric behavior, partial molar enthalpy of oxygen was calculated. The value of partial molar enthalpy of oxygen slightly approaches zero as δ increases in the oxygen excess region while that is independent of δ in the oxygen deficient region. Discussion was made by comparing data of this study with nonstoichiometric and thermodynamic data of La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ: Nd_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ show more oxygen excess than La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ in the higher P(O₂) region, while the nonstoichiometric behavior in the oxygen deficient composition is almost the same. The variation of partial molar enthalpy of oxygen with δ for Nd_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ in the oxygen excess region is much smaller than that of La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ. The oxygen nonstoichiometric behavior of Nd_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ is more ideal-solution-like than that of La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ.     

Critical temperatures,pressures, and densities for the mixtures CO2–C3H8, CO2–nC4H10, C2H6–C3H8, and C3H8–nC4H10

A simple method is developed to estimate mixture critical temperatures (T_c), pressures (P_c), and densities (ρ_c) as a function of overall composition (X) from near critical region experimental coexistence data. This three-step method is applied to four mixtures, CO₂–C₃H₈, CO₂–nC₄H₁₀, C₂H₆–C₃H₈, and C₃H₈–nC₄H₁₀. Isothermal liquid–vapor coexistence data, which includes temperature, vapor pressure, coexisting densities (ρ^ℓ and ρ^v), and coexisting compositions for the more volatile component (x₁^v and x₁^ℓ) are used. In the first step, the difference of the saturated liquid and vapor densities (ρ^ℓ−ρ^v) is fitted to an empirical function in ((P_c−P)/P_c) to obtain P_c. Then P/P_c and ((ρ^ℓ+ρ^v)/2ρ_c) are simultaneously fitted to functions of a polynomial in (X₁−(x₁^v+x₁^ℓ)/2) yielding estimates of ρ_c and X₁. Finally, the discrete estimated critical data points are fitted with an equation to provide a continuous representation of the critical lines. The method is successfully tested for the mixtures, CO₂–C₃H₈ and CO₂–nC₄H₁₀, for which there is a reasonable amount of isothermal data. The procedure is then applied to the mixtures, C₂H₆–C₃H₈ and C₃H₈–nC₄H₁₀, for which there are sparse data. For all four mixtures, the critical temperature line, T_c vs. X₁, matches literature values within ±0.5%. The critical pressure line, P_c vs. X₁, and critical density line, ρ_c vs. X₁, match literature values, in general, within ±2%.     

Thermodynamic study of (m1Cs2SeO4 + m2NiSeO4)(aq)wheremdenotes molality atT = 298.15 K

The isopiestic method has been used to determine the osmotic coefficients of the binary solutions Cs₂SeO₄(aq) at T =  298.15 K from (1.090 to 4.591)mol · kg ^− 1. The molalities m of (m₁Cs₂SeO₄ + m₂NiSeO₄)(aq) have been investigated by physicochemical analysis. The crystallization of a new double salt Cs₂SeO₄· NiSeO₄· 6H₂O has been established. The Pitzer ion-interaction model has been used for thermodynamic analysis of the results obtained. The thermodynamic data needed (binary and ternary parameters of ionic interaction, thermodynamic solubility products) have been calculated and the theoretical solubility isotherm has been plotted. The experimentally obtained and the calculated solubilities are in very good agreement. The standard molar Gibbs energy of the synthesis reaction Δ_rG_m^oof the double salt Cs₂SeO₄· NiSeO₄· 6H₂O from the corresponding simple salts Cs₂SeO₄and NiSeO₄· 6H₂O, as well as the standard molar Gibbs energy of formation Δ_rG_m^ohave been determined.     

Gas-phase solvation of Cl− with H2O,CH3OH,C2H5OH,i-C3H7OH,n-C3H7OH,and t-C4H9OH

The gas-phase clustering reactions Cl⁻ (ROH)n−1 + ROH ⇄ Cl⁻ (ROH)_n with n ⩽ 11 for ROH = H₂O, CH₃OH, C₂H₅OH, i-C₃H₇OH, n-C₃H₇OH, and t-C₄H₉OH were measured using a high-pressure mass spectrometer. It seems likely that for CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH, six ligands complete the shell structure and that ligands with n ⩾ 7 belong to the outer shell. The bond energies D(ROH---Cl⁻) increase in the order H₂O < CH₃OH < C₂H₅OH < i-C₃H₇OH < t-C₄H₉OH < n-C₃H₇OH. The observed strong bond of n-C₃H₇OH---Cl⁻ may be due to the fact that both the acidic hydrogen atoms in the −OH and terminal −CH₃ of n-C₃H₇OH interact with Cl⁻ with the most favorable configuration. For Cl⁻ switching reactions, Cl⁻ (H₂O)_n + (ROH)_n ⇄ Cl⁻ (ROH)_n + (H₂O)_n, the ΔG⁰_n values converge to the values of free energies of transfer of Cl⁻ from water to ROH solvent ( = ΔG⁰_n with n → ∞) with n ≈ 7. The observed convergence of ΔG⁰_n is due to compensation of changes in enthalpy and entropy, i.e. both ΔH⁰_n and TΔS⁰_n show increasing divergence from the values of enthalpies and entropies of transfer of Cl⁻ from water to ROH solvent, respectively, with n = 1 → 7. This is due to the stronger interactions of ROH with Cl⁻ than that of H₂O in the inner shell of Cl⁻ (ROH)_n at the expense of the less favorable entropy changes (less freedom of motion for ligands in the inner shell).     

Hardness evaluation of cured urea–formaldehyde resins with different formaldehyde/urea mole ratios using nanoindentation method

To understand the influence of formaldehyde/urea (F/U) mole ratio on the properties of urea–formaldehyde (UF) resins, this study investigated hardness of cured UF resins with different F/U mole ratios using a nanoindentation method. The traditional Brinell hardness (H_B) method was also used for comparison. The H_B of cured UF resin films with different F/U mole ratios was determined after exposing the films to different post-curing temperatures. The nanoindentation method was employed for these films to measure Meyer hardness (H_M) and reduced modulus (E_r) which have been used to calculate the elastic modulus (E_s) of cured UF resins. As the F/U mole ratio decreased, the H_B decreased continuously, indicating a less rigid network structure in low F/U mole ratio UF resins. The higher the post-curing temperature, the greater the value of H_B. The H_M value also showed a similar trend as a function of F/U mole ratio. However, the E_r and E_s did not show a consistent trend as exhibited by H_M and H_B. Both H_M and E_r showed much greater variation in the coefficient of variation (COV) at lower F/U mole ratios 1.0 and 1.2, indicating a more heterogeneous composition of these resins. Linear relationships between H_M and E_r indicate that heterogeneity of the surface composition of samples contributes greatly to variations in the measured values. This variability is discussed in terms of crystal structures present in the cured UF resins of low F/U mole ratios.     

Liquid phase separation of ternary Al–In–Sn/Ge monotectic type alloys investigated with calorimetric method

The phase equilibrium, thermodynamic properties and liquid demixing patterns for binary Al_100−xIn_x, ternary (Al_100−xIn_x)₉₀Sn₁₀ and (Al_100−xIn_x)₉₀Ge₁₀ (x = wt.%) alloys are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. The corresponding phase diagrams are experimentally established, and it is found that both monotectic temperature and critical temperature for immiscibility gap decrease when either Sn or Ge is added to binary Al_100−xIn_x alloys. The enthalpy of fusion for binary Al–In alloys, ternary Al–In–Sn and Al–In–Ge alloys shows linear functions with In content, and the introduction of Sn and Ge elements decreases the enthalpy of fusion. The liquid phase separation mechanism is discussed in relation to the DSC curves and solidified microstructures. It is demonstrated that the core and shell phases can be altered by the addition of Ge element in (Al_100−xIn_x)₉₀Ge₁₀ alloys as compared with those in binary Al_100−xIn_x and ternary (Al_100−xIn_x)₉₀Sn₁₀ alloys. This provides an effective way to switch the inner and outer phases for core–shell structure.